July 2024 Edition
Dear Customers,
Earlier this month, I testified before the DC Council on two important bills: the Protecting Adjacent and Adjoining Property Owners from Construction Damage Amendment Act of 2024 and the General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024. Alongside Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Director Tiffany Crowe, I highlighted the necessity of these legislative changes. You can find the link to my testimony and view the hearing recording below.
We are also inviting you to participate this month in an Electrical Hosting Capacity and Solar Experiences Study. Conducted by one of our partners, Electrify DC, this survey seeks insights on solar installation and home electrification in D.C. Your input is invaluable, so please complete the short survey and share it with others.
Lastly, our "Building For Tomorrow Today" section for July focuses on water efficiency. From rainwater harvesting to micro irrigation systems, these technologies are vital for conserving water and ensuring a sustainable future for our District.
As we continue in our efforts to move the District forward, we thank you for your trust in us as we pursue our mission and continuously seek to evolve in how we deliver services to you.
Onward,
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
 Earlier this month, Director Brian Hanlon appeared before the Council of the District of Columbia to testify at a joint public hearing considering two different bills that DOB supports: the Protecting Adjacent and Adjoining Property Owners from Construction Damage Amendment Act of 2024 and the General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024. Director Hanlon joined the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Director Tiffany Crowe.
To read Director Hanlon's testimony in support of the bills, click here. If you would like to view the hearing recording, please click here.
As a part of DOB's efforts to help guide the District to a sustainable future, DOB invites you to help plan the technical and social infrastructure needed for an electrified future.
On behalf of the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), Electrify DC, a local nonprofit, is conducting a hosting capacity survey to learn about D.C. residents' experiences, awareness, and needs regarding solar installation and home electrification.
Please consider completing this short, five-minute survey and share with your friends and colleagues to help develop the District's solar awareness and capabilities.
 Water Efficiency: Washing Waste Away
 Water efficiency helps heighten the improvement of water quality, protect and provide healthy drinking water sources, and maintain a functional ecosystem that can helpsave money and reduce energy use.
Rainwater Harvesting
Instead of allowing water to run, rainwater harvesting collects water from roofs and stores it for later use. The water that was collected can then be shifted to both wells, shafts, tanks, and other areas. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, typical uses of rainwater can include landscape irrigation, wash applications, ornamental pond and fountain filling, and toilet and urinal flushing.
Micro Irrigation Systems
Micro irrigation (also known as micro sprinkle) systems helps reduce water use that will ensure that no water shall be wasted in either water spray, evaporation, or runoff. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this form of irrigation delivers water directly to where it is needed most: the root zone of plants. It also delivers the water slowly and over a longer period of time, preventing runoff and reducing evaporation. Microirrigation systems also use 20 to 50 percent less water than conventional sprinkler systems.
Rain Sensors
Rain sensors are very helpful for gardening. They ensure plants get the right amount of water by checking the weather conditions. These sensors provide up-to-date information and only water the plants when needed.
Water efficiency technologies lead to more economical usage data, and can lead to positive environmental impacts that lead to a stronger and safer District.
Stop Work Orders (SWOs) are issued by DOB where the District's building codes have been found to be violated. This includes (but is not limited to) work without permits, exceeding scope of permits, failure to protect adjoining property, and failure to obtain inspections at the appropriate interval of construction.
However, SWOs don't just halt the hammers and saws at a site. If there is an SWO associated with a certain permit or property address, this impacts further application activity. Until lifted, SWOs prevent customers from submitting new applications or progressing forward on existing work for the following:
- Commercial and residential building permits
- Third-party and DOB construction inspections
- Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os)
- Wall Checks
Our digital platforms have been streamlined to provide feedback to customers if SWOs are affecting the work they are trying to conduct on a given property.
To learn more about how to get a SWO lifted, please visit our website.
Once SWOs are lifted, customers are notified, allowing them to proceed. For further information about SWOs, please contact us at DOB@dc.gov for more information.
- Contact DOB via email at dob@dc.gov, through our online inquiry form or during normal business hours using the live chat available on dob.dc.gov or by phone at 202.671.3500, and we will get back to you in three business days or less.
- DOB's updated Customer Service hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Thursday 9:30 am-4:30 pm.
- If you want to report illegal construction, vacant property concerns, or property maintenance issues after hours, you can always report them via DC311. You can call 311 at any time day or night. You also can visit the online portal at 311.dc.gov.
- If you live in a residential zone and plan on doing work on your home, please reach out to DOB to ensure your proposed work is properly permitted under District law. This especially goes for those larger projects that you are considering. DOB wants to ensure that all involved parties are on the same page regarding District regulations to ensure safety for all.
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